è troppo bella...quasi quasi tornano a piacermi le berline...

Da autoexpress... Il 2.5 sembra abbia 220 onorevoli cavalli per un 7.3 secondi sullo 0-100. Comunque il "succo" e' racchiuso nell'ultima frase 

Class-leading quality, reliability and silky performance... Lexus is well known for all of them. But until now, one vital ingredient has been missing: visual excitement. The sensational new IS seeks to change this, adding sporty styling to Lexus' list of strengths. Auto Express was first behind the wheel to find out if the newcomer goes as well as it looks.

In the flesh, it is certainly a stunner. Bigger than its predecessor and with a longer wheelbase, the car mixes Lexus traditionalism with sharp new lines.

From the slanting headlights to the muscular belt line which arcs from the front wings to the tail-lamps, there is no doubt the IS takes up where the previous model left off. In Japan, the rear-wheel-drive machine comes with a choice of engines: a 2.5-litre V6 and a new 3.5 V6. But in place of the larger-capacity flagship, UK buyers will get a 2.2-litre turbodiesel developing 175bhp.

Specs have not yet been finalised, but engineers estimate the 2.5 generates around 220bhp and 250Nm of torque, while the 3.5-litre produces a healthy 310bhp and 360Nm. And although official acceleration figures aren't available, the IS350 is expected to sprint from 0-60mph in less than six seconds, in contrast to the IS250's 7.3 seconds.

Whichever car you choose, power is delivered instantly and progressively, and the exhaust has even been given a beefy, metallic note for extra sportiness. That's all backed by a smooth six-speed automatic gearbox with steering wheel-mounted paddleshifters. With plenty of torque on offer, progress is effortless, while an excellent ride - plus the class's quietest cabin - adds further appeal.

Through corners, the IS's stiff chassis and sporty suspension set-up combine to provide handling which is among the best in this sector. The steering could do with more feel, but the IS is an agile machine with lots of grip - easily comparable with its German rivals.

Safety has been at the heart of the car's development, too, and the company has included an updated version of its stability control system which, combined with strong brakes, makes for a thoroughly reassuring drive.

The interior blends soft, flowing contours with materials of the highest quality, while an exquisite 13-speaker Pioneer sound system is included as standard. Meanwhile, the seats provide incredible support and, as we have come to expect from the Japanese brand, the cabin's construction is solid.

The latest IS also features a twin-chamber airbag for front occupants - a world first on a production car. This set-up's new 'omni-support concept' means two front airbags open together in an accident. They form a V-shaped indentation, capturing the driver and passenger's head and shoulders, spreading the load and reducing the chance of injury.

The all-new IS is so far ahead of its predecessor that it could have been given another name. Unlike previous models from the company, it certainly looks the part and handles superbly, while offering impeccable comfort and quality as only Lexus can. The German competition should be very worried.

Molto positivo direi, anche se non conosco autoexpress.

Fa parte del gruppo di EVO

Io solo una cosa non ho compreso: quando sarà in vendita in Italia?

Ho visto martedì a Cattolica una GS nuova di un turista olandese: continua  a non piacermi.

Pare entro fine anno il 2.5 V6 benzina... dopo qualche mese il diesel...

a che price il diesel??

Cioè la IS 250 viaggia come la 159 3.2 Q4? 

La lexus IS250 dovrebbe venire ~$30K manuale e 31.5K automatica. Prezzi USA pero'....

Queste le date di inizio vendita (in CH)

IS250 6M/T: Fine ottobre 05
IS250 6A/T: Novembre 05
IS220d 6M/T: Gennaio 06

Alcuni dati ufficiali della is250

2.5 V6 150kw (204PS) @ 6400
250 Nm @ 3800
Lunghezza/larghezza/altezza: 457.5, 180, 142.5

Tre gli allestimenti: business, edition, virage...

Pare (e ribadisco pare) che la versione top della is250 non supererà i 37'000 euro... che non sarebbe male...

ok...quindi 60.000 euro...

marco, quindi hai deciso? la prendi???

..azz... lasciami due-millanta anni per decidere... tu gli hai avuti no ?

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Aggiornamento: Variants likely for upcoming Lexus IS; coupe and convertible on wish list
MARK RECHTIN | Automotive News
Posted Date: 7/18/05
LOS ANGELES -- To field a strong BMW 3-series competitor, Toyota Motor Corp. is looking at a range of variants, such as a coupe, convertible and hybrid, for the redesigned Lexus IS 250 and IS 350, two sources say.

The company declines to confirm the plans. But Suguya Fukusato, chief engineer for the IS program, says that market demand requires variants in the future.

Fukusato says Lexus is evaluating a ragtop similar to the BMW 3 series, as well as a retractable hardtop. Fukusato says he would prefer a ragtop for the weight and space savings. He spoke at a media event here last week.

Bob Carter, general manager of Lexus Division, says an IS coupe and convertible are on the company's wish list. Carter says those variants are necessary because Lexus wants the IS lineup to compete with the BMW 3 series.

The redesigned 2006 IS sedans go on sale in October.

The IS platform architecture is shared with the GS sedans, making a hybrid variant possible as well.

The GS 450h hybrid sedan will arrive next spring, powered by a V-6 engine and two electric motors.

Fukusato says Toyota's current hybrids are too focused on fuel economy to work with a performance sedan.

"If we could make the hybrid sportier, then we could introduce a hybrid version. Every day we make progress," Fukusato says.

Another high-performance possibility: a rumored IS 460, powered by a V-8. Because the IS engine bay is almost identical to that of the GS, a V-8 could fit in the IS chassis.

But Fukusato noted that such a big engine would upset the front-rear weight bias, which is crucial to the handling of a sport sedan.

With a convertible, coupe, wagon and sedan, the BMW 3 series posted sales of 106,549 in the United States in 2004. The Lexus IS, with sedan and wagon, posted sales of 9,972 last year.

Pare non sia pianificata ne prevista la versione station...

Prototipo Lexus IS Coupé:




Prototipo Lexus IS 460 (V-8 4.6 litri 440-460cv)